Changed Lives

David’s life was going well until he lost his job and could no longer afford his home. For weeks, David experienced homelessness and uncertainty. “Not having a roof over my head, not knowing where my next meal was going to come from, not working,” he says.

He’d never been in a situation like that before. Being in his early 60s with no family, he struggled with finding a sense of purpose.

The day he walked into Crossroads Mission Avenue, things started turning around for David.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he says. “I’d never been in a shelter. I came in and tried to do what I could to help the guys out if they needed somebody to talk to. No matter what time of day or night, I was there for them.”

Mission staff took notice of his work ethic and willingness to be there for other guests. Before long, he started working as a hall monitor. “To work for Crossroads wasn’t necessarily my goal, but after being here and seeing the change in some of the guys that I would speak with, I figured this is it for me. So I’ll be here till I retire.”

One time, a new guest checked in and immediately broke down in tears needing somebody to talk to. David got him some help, and when the guest returned, he was doing much better.

“Things like that give me purpose here, knowing I helped somebody like that. It’s gratifying to see somebody that you talked to become a better person.”

“I feel like this is my place. I’m where I’m meant to be.”

David now works as security for our new Mission facility in Lexington. It’s a home-like environment where men and women in recovery can live in supportive community as they rebuild their lives.

This Christmas, David is experiencing God’s grace at work in his life. Thank you for sharing the gift of hope with him! “I’ve wondered all my life, what am I destined for? And at 61 years old now, this is it… to give back to people.”

Amanda is grateful for the stability she found at Crossroads. Before coming to the Mission, she was on probation. Neglect from her mom and bad influences in her life led her to unhealthy habits. “I was doing everything illegal, and that was how I survived. It’s how I learned how to make money.”

At Crossroads, Amanda was met with a warm welcome and was given everything she needed. “Here, you get a break from life, and you’re not stressed out all the time.”

Through our Personal Resilience Class, Amanda learned skills like budgeting and goal-setting. She also got to give back through community service and by working in our Mission Avenue Thrift Store.

Today, Amanda sees herself as more capable of achieving her goals. She wants to have a stable job and her own place. “I’ve been working on finding a purpose, and it’s been easier to find that here.”

Becky had a rocky childhood, starting at 18 months old when her parents divorced. “I was constantly going back and forth between my mom and my dad,” she explains.  

She ended up living with her mom but ran away from home at age 14 to escape abuse. Moving in with her dad brought freedom, but without healthy ways to process her pain, she made destructive choices that led to addiction. 

In the years that followed, Becky became a mother, but addiction took its toll. When one of her sons passed away, grief nearly consumed her. Everything changed when she lost custodyof her remaining children. “I decided to get clean and sober and fight to get my kids back,” she says.  

Becky regained custody but struggled to find stable housing for her family… until they came to Crossroads Mission Avenue. “It’s been a blessing. My kids have better structure here,” she says. “They have been thriving in school.” 

And she has made remarkable strides of her own. Within months, Becky was offered a full-time role at the Mission as a guest advocate. “Crossroads is giving me an opportunity to get our life back on track,” she says. Through our 4-Phase Recovery Program, she is learning life skills like budgeting for her family, which once felt overwhelming.  

“Now I’m able to be successful for my children.” 

She also found stability through community. “I love it here. I’ve made some really close friends, and I feel very comfortable opening up to others. It feels like a family,” Becky says.  

Becky, who once felt lost, is grateful for the direction she now has. “I love my job. It has improved my life, and I love being able to help others.”   

Because of you, Becky is experiencing Thanksgiving in a whole new way this year… with a fresh perspective on life and a heart of gratitude. “I’m thankful to the Mission because it gave me and my children an opportunity to succeed.” 

* Name and photos have been changed to protect the privacy of those featured in this story.

Growing up, Tammy and James both struggled with abuse and undiagnosed mental conditions that went untreated for years. As adults, Tammy and James turned to substances to manage their symptoms, which led to addiction. They met at a Rescue Mission and got married, but sadly, without proper treatment, they fell back into addiction and faced homelessness five times.

When they came to Crossroads, everything began to change. “Coming to Crossroads helped us get off the drugs completely,” says James. They joined our 4-Phase Recovery Program, gaining skills in budgeting, housekeeping, and food preparation. They also received help securing stable, low-income housing where they’ve lived since graduating.

“Since coming to the Mission, I am clean and sober,” James says. “I love life more than I did before.” Crossroads also helped Tammy feel empowered: “I am stronger than I thought. When I put my mind to something, I can get it done.” Tammy and James are celebrating 20 years of marriage…and a fresh start. “It feels like our life is starting all over again,” Tammy says.

Music was Joseph’s passion, but it also led him down a dark path. As a musician, he spent years performing in environments where alcohol was always close at hand. What began as a few drinks to break the ice slowly became something he depended on. “The more I grew dependent on it, the worse it got,” Joseph says.

Over time, drinking drained his energy, affecting his performance at work. Eventually, Joseph lost his job and his apartment. He knew something had to change. “If I kept going the way I was, I wasn’t going to live much longer.”

Desperate for help, Joseph came to Crossroads to start over. “It was like the light turned on in a room,” he remembers. “Everything was illuminated, and I started working on myself.”

He committed fully to change – cutting ties with unhealthy influences and focusing on healing. Assigned chores gave him structure, and working in the kitchen gave him purpose. “I focused all my attention on the task at hand,” Joseph says.

Now, Joseph has regained clarity and motivation. “Since coming here, I’m focused, and I know what I have to do to get where I want to be,” he says.

“Crossroads helped me maintain my sobriety and grow into a more caring and compassionate person.”

Today, Joseph works at Crossroads as the kitchen manager, ensuring meals are prepared with care and dignity. He sees his work as more than a job – it’s a calling. “There’s a lot of gratification from helping somebody,” he says.

His faith in God has grown, too, inspiring him to serve others with Christ-like compassion. “I want to share the grace that was given to me.”

Because of you, neighbors like Joseph know that they are loved and worthy of a new beginning. Thank you for opening the door to hope and healing this summer! “I’m thankful to Crossroads for the opportunities they’ve given me. They’ve helped me in so many ways.”

Last summer, Dawn faced a crisis she never expected. In the middle of a divorce and custody situation, she and her son, Ryley, were wrongfully evicted from their apartment. “My biggest challenge before coming to the Mission was finding housing,” she says.

Dawn is grateful for the safety net of Crossroads. “I was glad we had a place to stay instead of our car or the streets,” she says. They stayed in the shelter for several months before moving into one of Crossroads’ apartments. Through classes on budgeting and saving, Dawn has gained tools to plan for the future. She found a part-time job that fits her son’s school schedule and began saving money. “Since coming to the Mission, I’m more financially stable,” she says.

Today, Dawn feels hopeful and grateful. “Crossroad provided a safe and welcoming place for me and Ryley,” she says. “They gave us a roof over our heads, food, and the chance to move forward.”

When Joel looks back, he admits drinking was already a problem in high school. But everything spiraled when his dad took his own life two months after he had told Joel that he was going to. “That really sent me downhill,” Joel says. “I felt responsible. I thought I could’ve saved his life if I had told somebody.”

Joel was 27 at the time, and from then on, he says he was on a “rollercoaster of alcoholism.” He would manage to get sober, land a good job, only to fall back into drinking and watch it all come crashing down. He pushed away his family and completely isolated himself. “Alcohol just rips your body up, your spirituality, confidence – everything,” he says. “I wasn’t really caring about anything.”

Joel finally reached his breaking point. Tired of the endless cycle, he came to Crossroads Mission Avenue, determined to begin his journey toward lasting recovery.

Today, Joel is enjoying healing and clarity. “I’m on the right path and I’m not getting off it again,” he says. He’s also receiving support for his mental health struggles. “The Mission helps balance me out. I feel good about myself.”

“Since coming to Crossroads, I have hope, faith, peace and a better relationship with God.”

Joel is grateful for the support he’s found at Crossroads, and the friendships he has made with staff. “If I need anything, they do what they can to help.”

Through Crossroads, Joel also has a new opportunity. He’s working at the Mission’s worm farm, which is preparing him for a full-time management position. “The worm farm is giving me a future and a career,” he says. “I’m excited for my growth.”

This Easter, Joel has a new direction for his life. Thank you for lighting the path forward for him to experience a future of hope and peace! “I thank God and Crossroads for helping me out. My confidence is built up and I have a better relationship with God and my family.”

After a painful divorce, Carman had to rebuild her life from the ground up. Then her world was shattered once again when her identity was stolen. “I lost everything. I was homeless and had no place to go,” she recalls. A friend whose son once found help at Crossroads brought Carman to the Mission. “I decided to make the best of my situation,” she says. “I’ve been striving to move forward ever since.”

At Crossroads, Carman has found more than shelter … she’s found purpose, deepening faith and new friendships. “I like that they put effort into each individual,” she says. Today, Carman gives back – helping wherever needed at the Mission, listening to others, and sharing lessons from her life. “I’ve grown quite a bit, and I’m stronger. Crossroads helped me see that I am not a hopeless cause; I have something to offer. I’m thankful to Crossroads because they opened their doors to me. They shared God’s grace with me.”

Adrian is the pastor of Kearney eFree Church and a volunteer at Crossroads Mission Avenue. “I love this kind of ministry,” he says. “One of the things I like about having relationships with folks who are homeless is they take off the masks we wear all the time. You get to know them pretty quickly.”

After moving to Kearney a decade ago, Adrian realized there weren’t any churches that were inviting people at Crossroads to be part of their community. “There are a lot of folks at homeless shelters who are looking for spiritual answers for really big problems,” he shares. “They are looking for community.”

When he became the pastor of Kearney eFree Church, Adrian encouraged his congregation to support neighbors in need. He led a campaign to raise funds for a van to transport Crossroads guests to and from the church each week.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is the relationships with Crossroads guests.”

Now, Adrian and his wife come to Crossroads to lead prayer time and Bible study and further develop fellowship with people who seek it.

“Crossroads provides protection and safety as people aim for higher goals and grow emotionally, physically, spiritually and vocationally,” Adrian says. “They do a great job working with local businesses to provide job opportunities that help guests move forward.”

He also recognizes the heart of our staff. “Crossroads employees really love and care about the guests. They understand that every person that comes in is made in the image of God.”

Adrian has seen the changes in people, from short-term to long-term guests. “They are not just self-sufficient; they have the tools to deal with temptations for when they go back out into the community,” he says. “They leave this place with more confidence, connection with the community and knowledge of the resources available.”

This Christmas, Adrian is experiencing the joy of ministering to Crossroads guests. Thanks to you, the gifts of peace and hope are shared with those who need it! “Guests say, ‘I’m grateful for this place because I can tell I am valued here. I matter.’”

Nyah and her siblings grew up without a mom. Their dad spent a lot of time on the road for work. “We were raised by my grandma,” she shares. When Nyah had children of her own, sadly, their father was also absent form their lives. Her grandma felt that it was best for Nyah and her children’s future to leave their small town for better opportunities.

On her own for the first time, Nyah came to Crossroads Mission Avenue with her kids for stability and guidance to live independently. “Before coming to the Mission, I was lost. They provide structure, resources, and support, which I didn’t have at home,” she says.

Being at the Mission has given Nyah confidence in herself. She is learning to be financially self-sufficient, so she can provide a better life for her kids. “At first, I was scared of being by myself. Now I feel like I can do things on my own,” she says. “Crossroads is helpful and supportive to those who need it, like families.” Of her time at the Mission, Nyah reflects, “I’m thankful to the Mission because they gave me a chance to live with purpose.”